Rice Robotics’ adorable, instantly recognisable delivery and disinfection robots have become an emblem of innovative convenience and an ambassador for Hong Kong, appearing frequently in malls, offices, hotels, and residences in Japan, Thailand, and here at home. The start-up’s new production facility is bound to associate the company with a new symbol: Hong Kong’s service robotics expertise.
The Cyberport community company raised US$7 million in a pre-Series A funding round led by Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, Soul Capital, Audacy Ventures, Sun Hung Kai & Company, and Cyberport.
With this capital infusion, Rice Robotics constructed a cutting-edge production plant in Tsuen Wan. Spanning 13,000 square feet, the new facility has quadrupled the company’s annual manufacturing capacity and strengthened its supply chain to satisfy growing global demand for its products. As part of Rice Robotics’ commitment to cultivating local talent and promoting domestic manufacturing, its entire line of delivery robots will be designed and produced in Hong Kong. The robotics plant will serve a dual purpose by demonstrating the city’s ability to produce top-tier service robots while simultaneously contributing to the Industry 4.0 effort.
Rice Robotics also expects to expand its presence in Japan, currently the company’s largest market. Since 2021, its robots have been delivering 7-Eleven products to Softbank employees at its Tokyo headquarters, providing last-mile residential deliveries for Japan Post, offering delivery services to three Mitsui Group hotels, and catering to guests at Toyota’s virtual showroom in Tokyo.
The start-up plans to use the recent funding to fulfil a trio of goal targets: deploy more robots in Japan as a response to rising demand; capitalise on market opportunities; and establish a powerful presence in the robotics industry.
